Flytippers block picturesque Northfield country lane

A picturesque lane in Northfield was blocked by flytipped rubbish yesterday and Birmingham City Council are appealing for help in finding the culprits.

A number of readers informed us of the flytipping, which scattered the length of Bell Holloway in Northfield yesterday.

Cllr Eddie Freeman (Weoley, Con) reacted to reports and had the rubbish removed.

Rubbish was strewn along 70 metres of the pretty thoroughfare and Birmingham City Council are keen to catch those who dumped it.

Flytippers can face an unlimited fine and up to five years’ in jail if convicted at Crown Court.

Cllr Freeman said: “I was alerted by concerned residents about the rubbish that had been left on the lane. It was extremely dangerous and could have caused accidents. Fly tipping is becoming a problem in Birmingham and we need to find the culprits who are responsible. Thank you to the team that went out and cleared the rubbish but yet again it has drawn resources away from other jobs that needed to be done too! If you see anything do not hesitate to contact me!”

Jacqui Kennedy, interim Strategic Director of Place for Birmingham City Council, said: “It is outrageous that people think dumping tons of rubbish on a road is acceptable – it is not.

“This has drawn staff away from their regular duties to clean up this mess and also incurred clean-up costs, which will ultimately be borne by taxpayers if they cannot be recouped from the offender.

“Officers are sifting through this waste to identify who this rubbish belongs to, as they may be liable if we do not trace the people responsible for dumping their waste on Bell Holloway.

“We need to love and respect our neighbourhoods and it’s disappointing to see rubbish being dumped on our streets. Keeping Birmingham’s streets clean is everyone’s responsibility so we will continue to clamp down on litter bugs, targeting areas where there is a persistent problem.”

The Waste Enforcement Unit investigates dumped rubbish, officers will sift through rubbish bags to identify where it came from, in order to prosecute fly-tippers. Officers can also serve legal notice to landowners to clear rubbish that attracts or harbours vermin.

If you have any information about who flytipped this waste on Bell Holloway Road, or wish to report any other similar incidents, please click here to report the dumped rubbish or email flytipping@birmingham.gov.uk